With exquisite illustrations, kids can imagine the world at their fingertips when being exposed to such books, and so do I. My youngest daughter has been reading on her own for over four years now, and I miss the thrill of looking for picture books in the children’s section of the library to read to her.

Sorry, kids, but it’s almost Herschel time. They teased me for getting giddy to watch the Sesame Street anniversary special last week and roll their eyes when I quote family favorite children’s books. My kids have accused me of being the most “kid-like” adult they know. Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. His other works include Surf's Up, a picture book Booked, a middle grade novel and He Said She Said, a YA novel. Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 21 books, including The Crossover, which received the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children, the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, The NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the Passaic Poetry Prize.

Out of wonder by kwame alexander